Four in five Australian women drink during pregnancy as health warnings 'unclear'

FOUR in five Australian women drink during pregnancy, research reveals.

While most mothers-to-be had a low alcohol intake, one-in-five drank moderately, and a small number drank heavily, the study found.

Lead author Jennifer Powers, of the University of Newcastle, said there was a lack of clear evidence of the risks of low to moderate alcohol intake during pregnancy and this left women in "no person's land" on the issue.

A gap in research, and changes in official guidelines over the years, saw many women opt to drink through their pregnancy though typically at low levels, Ms Powers said.

"While it's totally clear a lot of alcohol is bad for the baby ... there is no evidence of harm for small amounts of alcohol, but neither is there evidence there's no harm," she said.

Women and health practitioners were confused by official guidelines, which changed in 2001 from recommending zero alcohol intake to a low intake, and then back to no alcohol again in 2009.

There was an overwhelming need for research to clearly establish the risks associated with different levels of alcohol intake during pregnancy, she said.

"It is important that the large group of women who drink alcohol at low to moderate levels receive clear and consistent messages from health professionals."

She had been surprised by how many women drank, even though for many it was just an odd drink here and there.

The level of alcohol intake to cause fetal alcohol syndrome, which resulted in stunted growth and intellectual ability, was not clear cut, but it was basically high levels of alcohol and often, she said.

The research, published in today's Medical Journal of Australia, analysed the drinking habits of more than 1200 young mothers surveyed as part of a major longitudinal study.

One group of women were pregnant before the guidelines changed in 2001, and a second group were first pregnant afterwards.

Of those first pregnant after 2001 63 per cent had a low alcohol intake, 19 per cent had a moderate intake, while one per cent was high and 17 per cent abstained.

A low intake was generally classed as less than seven drinks a week, while moderate was seven to 14 drinks a week.

Researchers found the change in official guidelines on drinking during pregnancy had little effect on women's habits.

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